THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS (MEMORIAL)

Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. 

It’s funny, isn’t it? We hear about today’s feast of the Guardian Angels, and we almost instinctively conjure up images found in children’s books: a golden-haired, white-robed being floating beside a young child. The angel is somewhat alarmed to see the child reaching for some forbidden candy or about to trip over a stone in the road. Often, the angel is rushing to catch the child and bring him to safety. We recall these images, smile, and move on with our day.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to discount these angels! Today’s celebration can speak to us adults just as powerfully as our childhood books, if not more so. At its heart, this feast day tells us that the veil between heaven and earth is thinner than we often assume. It tells us that even “here on earth,” we believers can share “in the blessed company of angels” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 336). Just by being present to us, our guardian angel surrounds us with the life of heaven.

So rejoice! You have an angel who looks upon the face of your heavenly Father and is constantly interceding for you (Matthew 18:10). Take heart! You have a “messenger” from heaven to remind you that “the Lord is with you” (Judges 6:12). Don’t be afraid! Your angel can help you find freedom from whatever binds you, just as another angel set Peter free from his chains (Acts 12:6-9). And lift up your head! Your angel is with you to minister to you in times of temptation and loneliness, just as angels cared for Jesus during his time in the wilderness (Mark 1:13).

You probably won’t see or hear your guardian angel in this lifetime—angels are pure spirits, after all! But you can find great comfort in knowing that God has sent a bit of heaven down to earth just for you, in the form of this hidden spiritual companion. That’s how much he loves you. That’s how much he cares for you.

“Thank you, Lord, for sending an angel to watch over me and guide me!”

Zechariah 8:1-8
Psalm 102:16-23, 29
Matthew 18:1-5, 10